The Power of Durham Cathedral

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The Power of Durham Cathedral

Durham was unique. Not only did its Bishop have all the powers of a

Bishop, also bestowed upon him where the powers of a king; therefore

he was called the prince bishop. Only four other palantines had this

right but none were open to a cleric. The Arms of the See of Durham

displays a Bishops miter within a Kings coronet; it was a great

privilege to have this right.

The palantine of the Prince Bishop was enormous, from the Scottish

borders to Hull. They purchased land from many manors, although some

of it was given as a gift to the Cathedral.

The monastery lived on the income of this land, which was created from

the produce, or the money which the produce made in market.

The monastery also had power over numerous churches and had the right

to gain their tithes.

Durham cathedral's daughter houses also provided a source of income.

The Prince Bishop had so much power he could mint his own coins.

Durham Cathedral was the largest importer of goods in the north east

and the extent o f what they imported ranged from coal from Durham to

wines from the Mediterranean.

Judging from the amount of food eaten at Durham cathedral, in one

week, they must have fed about 300 people.

Durham Cathedral had the right to grant sanctuary.

A criminal would bang loudly on the sanctuary knocker on the north

door to alert the watchers who resided in two small chambers

overlooking the door. The watcher would let him into the cathedral,

there he would have to change his clothes for a black robe with a

yellow cross of St Cuthbert imprinted on the left shoulder. He would

then confess the details of his crime before a coroner and was allowed

to stay within the cathedral for 37 days, and provided with food and

water paid for by the church. On or before the last day he was

expected to leave the country by an assigned port or face execution.

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